don

I will be arriving in Phoenix on a Sunday afternoon at about 1 P.M. I was planning to stay 3 night in Phoenix and a couple nights in Sedona before arriving in the Grand Canyon on Friday. Is 3 days too long to spend in Phoenix? I thought I might take a day and drive down to Tucson, or maybe even spend the first night there and then spend a couple of nights in Phoenix. Any opinions? Can anybody come up with a better plan for these five days?

Native

I am puzzled how one can invest three days well in Phoenix. It is a vast, sprawling Los Angeles-type wasteland. If you are into golf, OK. Try this. First night, Phoenix( be sure to visit the Heard Museum of Indian culture). Second night, Tucson (be sure to visit the Desert Museum) then begin a loop to include Tombstone, Bisbee, Douglas, and the Kartchner Caverns (maybe need a reservation?). Then north to Globe/Miami and the Salt River Canyon to Show Low, then west through Payson and stay two or three nights in Sedona. Then on to the Grand Canyon.

Karen

I think three days in the Phoenix area is perfect and plenty to do, although you might want to drive to Tucson to see Desert Sonora Museum, well worth the drive.........that is a day trip and another day trip, or half day, is Apache Trail, alongside three desert lakes and then certainly leave a day plus for Phoenix and take off on the rest of your trip. I think there are plenty of things to see in Phoenis and surrounds for three days worth. I think the southern route of Tombstone, Bisbee, etc. that "Native" mentioned is a nice trip, but too far and too much for that length of time. Give Phoenix a good try.

ALF

I'm with 'Native' on this one! Go to Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and the G.C. Use Phoenix as a travel hub.

Sharon

The first thing you should do is purchase Delorme's Arizona Atlas/Gazetteer - it'll make your trip easier and lots more interesting.
We flew into Phoenix but headed immediately toward Flagstaff for our first night. Stopped enroute at Montezuma's Castle for a look at some neat cliff dwellings. From Flagstaff, it's only an hour or two to the Canyon. After some time at the GC, head to Sedona - great town. Then head south. We love Tucson - be sure to stay in a bed & breakfast somewhere near Saguaro Nat'l Park. We loved Casa Tiera B&B - a gorgeous place just a few miles west of the Sonoran Desert Museum (which you have to see). Take the drive up Mount Lemmon too. From Tucson, we headed way down to the Mexican border in Ajo where Organ Pipe Nat'l Monument is. We've also spent time in Bisbee and southeastern Arizona - the Chiricauhua Mountains are spectacular. Please feel free to email me if you'd like more detailed info. Sharon